BRITAIN faces the prospect of having a generation of children with severe bone problems if European plans to cut school milk go-ahead, a Preston-based dairy boss has warned.

European Union bosses want to end the current provision made for subsidised milk supplied to young children in primary schools and nurseries, which they currently fund.

But Andrew Ramsden, logistic and domestic sales director of MD Foods, which is based off Station Road, in Bamber Bridge, claims the proposed cut-backs will result in many children not getting enough calcium, needed for the development of healthy bones.

He said: "Milk provides children with a significant proportion of their daily nutritional requirements.

"This is especially true of calcium, which is needed for healthy bones.

"Inadequate skeletal development in childhood can lead to osteoporosis in later life."

Currently, 1.4 million youngsters across the country enjoy subsidised milk, which costs parents on average just £2 per term.

The EU is currently undecided on whether to cut the provision or abolish it all together. If they were to do the latter, it would bring to an end a British school tradition which has spanned over 65 years.

A decision is expected in September, little more than three months after European Agriculture Ministers appeared to support its retention.

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